The MLS has suspended Seattle Sounders star Clint Dempsey for two games, according to a report, likely for his crotch shot to an opponent during Saturday’s loss to Toronto FC.

Soccer reporter Kurtis Larson of the Toronto Sun first reported the suspension Wednesday morning. It was not immediately clear whether the suspension was a direct result of Dempsey’s slapping opponent Mark Bloom in the nether regions, but that seems to be the assumption among the soccer press.

Clint Dempsey walks off the pitch after his Sounders lost 2-1 to Toronto on Saturday at CenturyLink Field. (Ted S. Warren/AP Photo)

The soccer megastar said it was an accident. But near the end of the first half of Seattle’s match against Toronto FC, his team already down 2-0 at CenturyLink Field, Dempsey took down Bloom in a most uncomfortable way, swinging his hand backward into Boom’s crotch.

Dempsey was given a foul but no yellow or red card. A red card likely would have earned him a three-game suspension.

“To be honest with you,” Dempsey said, “I felt a hand on my back. I tried to hit it away and thought I was hitting his hand away. I understand that maybe I did catch him a little bit. I apologized to him about that, but for me, all I was trying to do was smack his hand from touching my back.”

The Sounders would be without Dempsey for their upcoming matches against the Montreal Impact this Saturday in Montreal and against the Columbus Crew on March 29 in Seattle. The Sounders may already be without midfielder Brad Evans this Saturday after he suffered a bruised calf against Toronto.